Changes in Building Regulations brought forward this year widen the scope for fire sprinklers and fire service access provision in England and can be seen as a response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy of 2017.
Amendments in the May ADB (Approved Document B) focus on the following fire safety provisions in blocks of flats (Volume 1):
a. Sprinklers A reduction in the trigger height from 30m to 11m Therefore apartment blocks with a top storey over 11m are to have fire sprinkler protection throughout the building.
b. Wayfinding signage for the fire service A new recommendation for floor identification and flat indication signage within blocks of flats with storeys over 11m.
These changes come into effect on 26 November 2020 for use in England.
The 2019 edition will continue to apply where a building notice or an initial notice has been given to, or full plans deposited with, a local authority before 26 November 2020 and either the building work to which it relates:
a. has started before that day; or
b. is started before 29 January 2021.
This provides a clear timeline on whether the amendments apply to your project.
Please note that ‘building notice’, ‘initial notice’ and ‘full plans’ have the meanings given in the Building Regulations 2010.
